Sudan seeks to rejoin IGAD and African Union after years of isolation
As Sudan seeks to mend relations and restore its standing in IGAD and the AU, the focus will be on whether its leadership is committed to peace and democracy.
Sudan has taken a major step toward rejoining regional and continental organisations, with its deputy leader, Malik Agar, delivering a formal request to Djibouti on Sunday.
Sudanese and Djiboutian officials confirmed that Agar conveyed a letter from Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council head and army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who currently chairs the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
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Djibouti's government called Sudan's decision a "resounding diplomatic victory", as it had been actively working behind the scenes to convince Khartoum to reverse its suspension.
"The main content of this message essentially concerns the announcement of Sudan's desire to rejoin IGAD," the statement read.
Sudan's Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Hussein Al-Amin Al-Fadil confirmed the news, saying, "Agar renewed Sudan's desire to resume its activities in IGAD after its suspension during the war."
Why was Sudan suspended?
Sudan pulled out of IGAD on January 20, 2024, after protesting the participation of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ‘Hemedti’ in an IGAD summit in Uganda.
The country was also suspended from the African Union (AU) in October 2021, following a military coup led by al-Burhan and Hemedti, which toppled the transitional government.
Key discussions in Djibouti
During their meeting, Agar and Guelleh talked about Sudan's ongoing conflict, its political future and how it could return to both IGAD and the African Union.
Djibouti's leadership reassured Sudan of its support, emphasising that it would continue pushing for peace and unity in Sudan through IGAD.
Djibouti also outlined a three-step peace plan for Sudan, which are, the immediate ceasefire to stop ongoing violence, political talks to create a roadmap for peace and inclusive elections to restore democratic rule.
Djibouti also reaffirmed its backing for Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity amid growing concerns about external interference.
African Union membership
Besides IGAD, Sudan is also looking to rejoin the African Union (AU).
Agar held talks with Djibouti's outgoing Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who was elected the AU Commission chairman in February.
The Sudanese delegation expressed hope that the AU would reconsider Sudan's suspension.
"The situation when Sudan was suspended was very different from where the country is today," Sudan's Sovereign Council said in a statement.
According to reports, Mahmoud confirmed that the AU Commission is open to discussions about Sudan's return to full membership.
What next?
As Sudan seeks to mend relations and restore its standing in IGAD and the AU, the focus will be on whether its leadership is committed to peace and democracy.
With ongoing conflict, humanitarian crises, and political instability, Sudan's return to these organisations will depend on real efforts toward stability.
For now, the ball is in IGAD and the AU's court, and Sudan's next steps will determine how soon, or if, it will regain its place in the regional and continental community.
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